Thanks for "dredging" this thread back up to the top of the board - a very interesting revisit of a couple years ago.

Although Don did not make it clear whether his build used a 350-scale Dragon "Smart Kit" - a couple of which I since came to own, and which I can tell you in the box each one looks just great. The only SmartKit parts I've fitted, however, were from the Dragon 350-scale Benson/Gleaves DD - comprising a couple of 5-inch turrets, which assembled quite nicely, IIRC. Plus, both these SmartKits have just spectacular molded-in detailing, as well as dedicated (small) photo-etched brass frets with specialized details. Perhaps these SmartKits upgraded/replaced the one found so bitterly disappointing by Don, here.

But now I've got more news for you, too: soon after the above start of this thread, I made significant progress on a project I'd had, to essentially scratchbuild a Gearing/Sumner, in about 1/500 scale, for mass-production in resin. Getting as far as some prototype lower hulls: not yet perfect, but already quite useable. Plus of course having finished production stock of 550-scale resin Twin-5inch Turrets, Twin-3inch Open Mounts, Quad- (also convertible to Twin-) 40mm Mounts, and Mk37 Directors (including options for their Cold War fits).

That's the Good News.

The Bad News is that by today (once again) I have to pack up and move my production workshop, including all the above having to go into boxes/storage, for some months. So, at the moment I am unable either to show you any example/demonstrators, for comparison with the above, nor to make further progress in refining/completing the hull (to be followed by the deck, etc.), as well.

Still, it is coming - one day - and in any case you are most welcome here, John: to watch for new developments, ask any questions and/or post any naval-related modelling (or related historical) items of interest you may have, John.